Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Commissioned directly from the artist by Miss Catherine Cranston for Hous'hill, Nitshill, Glasgow, circa 1904
Collection of Edward Arthur Gamble, Hous'hill, Nitshill, Glasgow, 1919
J. & R. Edmiston, Glasgow, May 13, 1933 (Hous'hill furniture auction)
Private Collection
By descent
Christie's London, November 8, 2001, lot 10
Acquired from the above by the present owner

"On the Interior Arrangement and Decoration of the House," The Studio Year-Book of Decorative Art, 1907, p. 60 (for the present lot illustrated in the White Bedroom)
Filippo Alison, Charles Rennie Mackintosh as a Designer of Chairs, London, 1974, p. 60 (for the drawing)
Roger Billcliffe, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, The Complete Furniture, Furniture Drawings & Interior Designs, New York, 2009, pp. 199, no. 1904L and 215, no. 1904.93 (for the present lot illustrated)

Overall in good condition. The wood surfaces appear to retain their original finish and present with some surface scratches, a few abrasions, a few minor edge indentations and gentle rubbing and light discoloration throughout, consistent with age and gentle use. The upper corners of the chair with minor chips, not visually distracting and visible in the catalogue illustration. The backrest of the chair with two small cracks which have been sensitively stabilized to the two horizontal bars at the proper right side, at the junction with the vertical edge. The back horizontal lower crossbar appears to have been stabilized at some point in the history of the chair, with a few remnants of glue on each side, only visible upon close inspection. The proper left back leg with minor abrasions along the edges and an adjacent minor circular abrasion to the lower crossbar of the chair. The seat has been covered in a later beige linen, covering a previous upholstery. An extraordinary example of Mackintosh work for Hous'hill, one of two examples known to exist, the other example being in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This chair is one of the two chairs created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Miss Kate Cranston, Hous’hill in Nitshill.  The other example is in the collection of the Musée d’Orsay, Paris (inv. 0A 1009).

This lot is accompanied by a copy of the original bill of sale from the May 13, 1933 Hous'hill furniture auction.